Holder for pencils and the like



Jan. 5, 1937. J. c. MATSON HOLDER FOR PENCILS AND THE LIKE mama I 2 Sheets-Sheet '1 Filed Jan. 29. 1936 J. c. MATSQN HOLDER FORAPENCILS AND THE LIKE Filed Jan. 29, 1936 -2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Jan. 5, 1937 HOLDER. FOR PENCILS AND THE LIKE James C. Matson, Birmingham, Ala. Application January 29, 1936, Serial No. 61,409

2 Claims. (oi. 2s1 so) This invention realtes to what is believed to be a new and novel holder for pencils, pens, or the like, wherein the dominating characteristic thereof has to do with the incorporation of the idea or conception in books and the like.

By comparison with pen or pencil holders with which I am at present, familiar, it is to be pointed out at the outset that the discovery is carried into practical effect through its incorporation in what may be broadly defined as the book binding. The term book in the sense in which it is here used is intended to have a broad significance and to comprehend such structures ranging from stenographers notebooks and school stationary to elaborate bound volumes. Thus, it may be made evident that the invention is either in the nature of an attachment or an integral part of a book binding, especially that part which forms the socalled hinge or connecting web between the covers.

Broadly, then, the principal novelty is predicated upon a book binding, of any appropriate material, especially designed and fashioned to have the additional secondary function of an expansible and contractible holderor sheath for pen, pencil, or the like.

In greater particularity, it may be additionally said that the invention appertains to a simple and economical book binding or attachment therefor, characterized by a series of properly arranged and coordinated apertures susceptible of permitting insertion of the pencil into that expansible or retractible part constituting the sheath.

Other features and advantages will become more readily apparent from the following description and the accompanying illustrative drawings.

In the accompanying drawings; wherein like numerals are employed to designate corresponding parts throughout the views Figure 1 is a rear or edge elevational view of a conventional bOOk'binding or hinge revised to incorporate the features forming-the unique pencil holder;

. Figure 2 is a side view showing a fragmentary portion of the book;

Figure 3 is a top plan view of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a view like Figure 1 showing a modification wherein the pencil cooperates with the companion features in a slightly different manner, this view being supposed to represent an attachment, that is, the feature additional to the regular binding;

ing reference numerals and first to Figures 1 to 3, inclusive, it will be observed that the book, which is conventional, is denoted by the numeral 1 and includes, as is better shown in Figure 3, the customary leaves 8 and a relatively rigid back and front constituting the so-called covers 9 and Ill. The flexible web or hinge forming binding is denoted by the numeral H and this is an integral part of the book. Incidentally, as before'implied, the invention may be either in the form of an attachment, as shown in Figures 4 to 6, or as a permanent part of the binding as shown in Figures 1 to 3. In the latter arrangement it is evident that the so-called pencil or pen holder is actually built into the binding II. Hence, the binding will be sufliciently loose to provide the requisite play to accommodate the thickness of the pencil without interfering with the normal opening or closing of the book. Thus, in its broadest sense, I have the binding Ii so coordinated with the remainder of the book as to have the additional function of a retention pocket or special adapter for a pencil, pen, or the like. I have shown a pencil in the drawings, and this is conveniently denoted by the numeral l2. It is equipped with a standard clip l3 having a keeper or retention head M of the ball design.

Although there are more or less corresponding features in the built-in style shown in Figures 1 to 3, and the attachment form shown in Figures 4 to 6, it is preferred to describe these embodiments separately to emphasize the relative merit and novelty. It is further pointed out, and shown better in Figure 1, that the binder H is of a duplex style. That is to say, it permits the pencil to be inserted from either end. Consequently, there are certain features which are duplicated, though it is preferred to distinguish these by numerals to avoid confusion. Looking at the drawings, it will be observed that at the top there is a circular centralized hole it which is adapted to function, in this particular arrangement, as a keeper for the ball head M. It is formed on diametricallyopposite sides with slits It. This might be described as one slit merely intersecting the opening. These slits in conjunction with the opening l5 provide an expansible and contractible passage for the pencil when it is inserted in a different manner as shown in Figure 4 for example. In line with the opening I5 is a correspondingly shaped hole ll which under certain circumstances, serves as a keeper or accommodation opening for the clip head I 4. This is also better brought out in Figure 4. Next, I call attention to the transverse parallel slots l8 and 19 which form between themselves a relatively narrow band-like strap 20 which provides the desired tight saddling action to facilitate maintenance of the pencil more or less by friction. In other words, this is a binding strap in the sense that it is a retention element.

I also call attention to the opening '11 and the opening l 5 and complemental slits It. When the pencilis inserted from the top, as here shown, the opening I5 allows protrusion of the pencil point therethrough and facilitates proper anchorage of the complete pencil. In this arrangement the pencil projects well above the upper end of the binding II. It is inserted into the sheath in such a way as to occupy a position between the leaves 8 and the holding means embodied in the binder H. The clip 13 engages over the upper edge and the ball 14 seats in the then serving keeper opening IS. The lower or intermediate portion of the pencil is interlaced through the slots l8 and I9 to be partly bound in by the intervening strap 20. The point comes down through the opening I5. Since a book, in use, has no top or bottom, it is evident that by duplicating the features l1, l5, and IS, the pencil could be inserted from the other end. In other words, the position of the pencil would merely be reversed so that it is unnecessary to determine which end forms the proper end for insertion in the Scabbard-like adapter pocket. The gist of the idea in these three figures is the provision of the coordinated apertures or-openings in the book binder II to accommodate the pencil, to accommodate the clip l3, and to strap the pencil in by way of the strap 20 and to allow the pencil point to protrude through and beyond an accommodation opening at the bottom.

As before stated, the same idea is more or lesscarried into effect in the arrangement depicted in Figures 4 to 6.- This, however, is in the nature of an attachment and a regular binder on the book is denoted by the numeral 2|, the book being indicated at 22. The attachment which is glued or otherwise secured to the main binder 2| is in the form of a piece of fabric, paper or suitable material of appropriate strength,- this being indicated at 23. In the attachment type suflicient fullness in the bight portion of the fabric 23 is allowed to accommodate or permit the pencil to be lodged effectively in place.

At the top is an opening 24 having the diametrically opposed accommodation slits 25. This arrangement is practical in that it permits the upper end of the pencil to be actually inserted through the expansible and 'contractible passage defined by this coordination of features 24 and 25. In this arrangement the second hole 26 always functions as a keeper for the head of the clip. Also, in this arrangement are provided series of three transverse slits 21, 28, and 29, which form alternately bendable straps 30 and 3|, respectively. This provides for a more effective and secure interlacing or passage of the pencil through the slits to be bound in place by the straps 30 and 3|. 7 The openings 25 and 26 are merely for reverse insertion as is evident.

It is thought that the description taken in connection with the drawings will enable a clear understanding of the invention to be had. Therefore, a more lengthy description is thought unnecessary.

While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been shown and described, it is to be understood that minor changes coming within the field of invention claimed may be resorted to if desired.

I claim:

' 1. In a book binder of the class described, a sheet of flexible material provided adjacent one end with an opening intersected by diametrically opposed slits, a second opening in alignment with said first named opening to accommodate the head of a pencil clip, a pair of longitudinally spaced parallel transverse slits arranged in iongitudinal alignment with said openings and forming a retention strap, and a third opening also in alignment with said first named openings and adapted to accommodate the point of the pencil in the manner and for the purposes described,

2. A bookbinder attachment of the class de- I scribed comprising a sheet of fabric including a substantially rectangular area, said rectangular area being provided adjacent one transverse end with a substantially circular hole adapted to permit passage therethrough of a pencil, being provided also with a second hole disposed in longitudinal alignment with the first hole, both of said holes being centralized with respect to the longitudinal edges of said rectangular area and selectively usable, and said fabric being further provided with parallel transverse slits arranged in longitudinal alignment with said holes and defining between themselves pencil embracing and retaining straps.

' JAMES C. MATSON. 

